See Santa at Schaumburg's annual tree lighting Nov. 26

The public is invited to attend Schaumburg's annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 26, that will include caroling and a visit from Santa Claus.

The evening's activities will begin at 6 p.m. with holiday caroling with the village board at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court. Santa will be escorted by the Schaumburg Fire Department and will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree at the outdoor stage north of the Prairie Center.

With the ongoing construction work taking place in the Jack Siegel Memorial Plaza, attendees of this year's tree lighting ceremony will need to use the east entrance of the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts.

Parking will be available in both the Prairie Center lot and the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center lot, 101 Schaumburg Court. Signs will be posted in both parking lots and throughout the municipal grounds to guide patrons to the ceremony.

To access the outdoor stage for the tree lighting, attendees will need to use the sidewalk by the east parking lot north of the Prairie Center that leads to the stage.

The tree will be decorated with ornaments crafted by area youth groups and organizations. Santa will be greeted by village officials, who will assist him with his lighting duties. After the tree lighting, Santa will meet with children in the Prairie Center's Maggie Atcher Theatre, where parents are encouraged to bring their cameras and phones for photos.

Seasonal entertainment will be featured, and refreshments will be available. The event is co-sponsored by the Schaumburg Jaycees.

Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to this event for the Schaumburg Food Pantry. Requested items include canned meats, soup, juice, snacks, crackers, dry pasta, tomato products, tissues, paper towels, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. All items can be placed in the designated boxes located in the Prairie Center lobby.

Here is the tree lighting schedule of activities:

• 6 to 6:30 p.m.: Caroling by the village president, village board and clerk in the Maggie Atcher Theatre in the Prairie Center or at the outdoor stage, weather permitting.

• 6:30 p.m.: Santa arrives via fire truck to light the tree with the village president at the outdoor stage north of the Prairie Center.

• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Holiday balloon twisters and character appearances.

• 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.: Santa will be available for photos with children in the Maggie Atcher Theatre inside the Prairie Center.

The Village of Schaumburg is following state and county mandates requiring masks in indoor public areas.

For information, contact Special Events Coordinator Roxane Benvenuti at rbenvenuti@schaumburg.com or dial 311 in the village.